Hello I played flute throughout middle school and high school in concert, marching, and district bands, and for pleasure in college. Now, some years later, I'm looking to get back into it! I absolutely loved playing and practiced, wrote my own music, etc. a lot just for fun. I would love to play again, and my intentions are to play for fun and hopefully join a local orchestra/band of some sort for pleasure if all goes well.

I'm looking for some advice on what kind of flute to buy. I have a very vague idea of what brands are good and bad. My old flute was some crappy Bundy or Armstrong (can't remember which, I think I had one of each at some point). I'd like something "better" than a starter flute obviously and that's where I'm lost! I would definitely prefer used/something a bit cheaper if possible. Any suggestions? Thanks

Definitely not a "starter flute" per se, but the cheapest model from Muramatsu, I'd go for a Muramatsu EX-III (I actually own one). Reliability, durability, ease on playing (specially if the headjoint is a Tsubasa type). Everything you want in a fairly cheap instrument. There are many others cheaper, but then I'd not know what to say about the quality...